(Reviewer: David Ginsberg, Vol. 71, No. 2, Rosh Hashanah 2016)
This biography of Senator Franz Ginsberg provides wonderful insight into the tensions and sequence of events of a bygone age that shaped modern South Africa, and specifically into the significant role played in that regard by this public spirited and liberal minded Jewish entrepreneur. The work further enhances our understanding of the global events and prevailing antisemitism in Europe that influenced the difficult decisions faced by many Jews at the time, one of which was that taken, in 1880, by Dr Nathan Ginsberg in Germany, to send his eighteen year-old son Franz to King William’s Town, South Africa. It gives substance to the life, and context to the role played by Senator Ginsberg as a humble, principled, pragmatic and humanistic leader, one who gained the respect of the people as a German and a Jew, and as loyal British subject. He was a Victorian South African with a deep love for his adopted homeland and all its peoples.
The author, Adam Yamey, and I are both great grandchildren of Senator Franz. I am grateful to him for his research, and for having dedicated the book to his cousins, Jane Rindl and myself.
Yamey’s well-researched biography reveals how the young Franz quickly established himself as an industrialist and politician. Successfully dabbling in many enterprises, from match-making, photography and diamond mining to candle making, farming and the manufacture of soap, he went on, in 1910, to become the first elected Jewish Senator of the newly formed Union of South Africa. Yamey weaves a compelling narrative of Ginsberg’s remarkable political journey to the Senate. His lifetime of public service commenced in the Council of the Borough of King William’s Town, where he rose from councilor to mayor, and later to Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Cape Province prior to his election as a Senator.
Through meticulous research into old press articles and public records, Yamey shows how Ginsberg came to grips with the structures and mechanisms of government, developing a deep understanding of the needs of Colonial industry and the aspirations its citizens of various cultures and persuasions. Always wanting to do good and looking to improving the lives of all peoples, including those less fortunate, he tirelessly promoted Colonial industries and campaigned for the introduction of protective tariffs to allow them to become more competitive.
Yamey describes how Ginsberg, a self-professed liberal, gained the respect and confidence of the Eastern Cape German settlers and the Xhosa people, how his humanitarian approach influenced decisions at various levels of government, and how he strongly opposed the voices of prejudice. The beginnings of separate development and seeds of Apartheid had been sown many years before in the hearts and minds of Europeans and even in those early days it was evident in all his dealing with the different levels of government. Despite his prescience, there was a certain inevitability that seemed to conspire against him.
The author is able to connect events like the advent of bubonic plague in the late 1800s, which gave rise to the need to address sanitary conditions in ‘King’, and consequently led to the establishment of a ‘location’ for ‘natives’ outside the town. Named “Ginsberg location”, it was here that Steve Biko later lived. ‘Locations’ were subsequently used for political purposes by proponents of separate development during the dark days of apartheid.
The politically intensive process of coalescing common sentiment and benefit to be derived from the formation of a union or federation of South Africa was mainly focused on economic benefits rather than the franchise for all. Hardline positions taken by most Afrikaner politicians resulted in the vote for ‘Natives’ being forfeited in order for unification to be achieved. The intriguing and perhaps little-known fact is that prior to unification, there was limited franchise for “civilized Natives” of the Cape Province. The history of South Africa would have been very different had it not been decided to shelve this important issue for resolution at a future time.
In telling the story of the life of Senator Franz Ginsberg, Yamey also reveals the rich tapestry and complexity of life for early settlers in the Eastern Cape, their difficulties, challenges and the importance of family in achieving their aspirations for a better life.
Soap to Senate is a well written and researched book, replete with references to well-known personalities of the time. It will be of interest to all wishing to learn more about the contribution of Jewish settlers and about the early beginnings of what forces influenced the political landscape as we know it today.
Soap to Senate: A German Jew at the Dawn of Apartheid by Adam Yamey, published by the author, 458pp, 2016. Available on Kindle and in hard copy.
David Ginsberg has a background in retail management, accounting and school business management. He has held the position of Director Finance and Administration, and joint CEO at United Herzlia Schools, Cape Town, for the past 27 years.
